The Tsw World Cup: Season Three

I think it would survive most groups

 

Halfway for the EU/US votes, 3/4 of the way for the UK!

Both of the previous EU ties are currently broken; Bremen - Oldenburg edges ahead of Tharandter Rampe (which now is set for the playoffs) and Mittenwaldbahn takes a step ahead of Frankfurt - Fulda.

Ruhr Sieg Nord is mounting a late comeback, and is only one point behind Tharandter Rampe and two behind Bremen - Oldenburg! EU Group B (North) is by far the tightest we have, well said it was spoken about!

Riviera Line is hot on the tail of Brighton Mainline in UK-A and the tie between GWE and WCML Birmingham - Crewe has been broken; GWE ahead by one!

North America has seen it's only tie (Oakville/Sherman) broken with Sherman taking a two-vote lead.

It's a product of the four-vote option for America but Morristown is having a fantastic run.

WCML Over Shap is the first route to break 50 - although nowhere close to the all-time record of Blackpool Branches (111 in 2023 then 97 in 2024) or it's own total of 68 last year.
Although, that's coming out of 77 total voters (thank you everyone) so I suppose 50 is quite a strong performance. Maybe the draw was just more interesting this year, or there's genuinely more good routes in the game?

In fact, come to think of it, assuming there's 77 votes in each thread (I haven't checked), that would mean that only three routes (see below) have got more than 50%, which is really interesting to see.



Links to the voting threads are on Page 6 if you haven't voted already.

 

That brings up a question: Just out of curiosity, do you know how many voters there were in the previous two Cups?

 

Sand Patch Grade doing so well again speaks volumes compared to all other US freight routes. DTG and its partners just couldn't maintain the overall quality.

It marks its 9th birthday this coming Tuesday and is still top of the heap.

 

Using Blackpool as a reference because it was the highest both times (and the UK seems most popular anyway),
2023: 111 votes was 70.7%, so around 157 in total.
2024: 97 votes was 74%, so about 131.

UK vote is sitting at 78 for this year, which is a little bit disappointing given that's it actually been the most interesting one yet.

I should note as well that the voting goes up and down between rounds. The finals tend to do quite well in terms of numbers.
Edit: 205 (wow) in 2023, 120 in 2024.

 

Hope ECML gets some more votes - my favourite route!

 

It's all over for EUROPE!
The first of the three regions is done, as Europe's vote closes.

North
Group A

1. Dresden - Leipzig: 38
2. Köln - Aachen: 24
3. Rhein Ruhr Osten: 9
4. Rapid Transit: 0

A quite predictable result here. Köln - Aachen takes the automatic progression as best northern 2nd place.

Group B

1. Bremen - Oldenburg: 22
2. Tharandter Rampe: 20
3. Ruhr Sieg Nord: 18
4. LGV Méditerranée: 6

A late comeback from Ruhr Sieg Nord wasn't enough as it falls short of Bremen and Tharandter Rampe. Bremen moves on automatically, Tharandter Rampe heads to the playoffs.

Group C

1. Zwolle - Groningen: 37
2. Kassel - Würzburg: 12
3. Hauptstrecke RR: 10
4. Hamburg - Lubeck: 8

A very clear victory for the Dutch representative here. A tight race for the playoff spot with Kassel-Würzburg taking the place.

South
Group A

1. Semmeringbahn: 27
2. Bernina Line: 15
3. Maintalbahn: 12
4. München-Augsburg: 10
5. Luzern - Sursee: 0

Semmeringbahn wins this one with Bernina Line joining it in round two. Maintalbahn - just - makes it to the playoffs.

Group B

1. Mittenwaldbahn: 27
2. Frankfurt - Fulda: 26
3. Niddertalbahn: 12
4. Salzburg - Rosenheim: 5
5. Pfalzische Ludwigsbahn: 5

A narrow win in the end for Mittenwaldbahn over FFA. Niddertalbahn relatively comfortably makes it into the playoff round.

Group C

1. Frankfurt S-Bahn: 39
2. Linke Rheinstrecke: 23
3. S-Bahn Vorarlberg: 8
4. Main Spessart Bahn: 4
5. Arosa Linie: 3

Very strong performances from Frankfurt S-Bahn and Linke Rheinstrecke. Vorarlberg moves into the playoff round.


EU Playoff
As a result, the 5-route playoff (from which two will progress) will be comprised of:
Tharandter Rampe (2nd, B North)
Kassel - Würzburg (2nd, C North)
Maintalbahn (3rd, A South)
Niddertalbahn (3rd, B South)
S-Bahn Vorarlberg (3rd, C South)

Voting for playoff rounds will go live tomorrow.

Final EU Table:
Borders don't align with the groups. Colours + Group names should make it clear where each group starts/ends, though.

Overall Table:




In the US, Antelope Valley (still on its way out) has risen from bottom spot to overtake Harlem and Peninsula Corridor.

West Somerset and Peak Forest are now level in UK-D and East Coastway has broke the 40-mark.

 

Round 2 / Playoff Confirmation
The format has been confirmed by TSWWC HQ (my brain) for Round 2 and the Playoffs.

The regions are still split at this stage.

Europe
Playoff
As already stated, the 5 playoff routes will go into a group, from which two routes will join the ten group winners/runners-up in Round 2.

Round 2
Routes from the same group in the group stage, and the two routes which emerge from the playoff, will be kept apart.
Effectively, A1 v A2 is impossible but B1 v E1 is possible.

The second round will see the EU routes merged into one big group, with four routes continuing.

UK
I was planning to toss this up into a weird format because of the UK's dominance but I won't.

The 6 group winners and 6 runners-up qualify for R2 automatically.
Playoff
The playoff will be contested by Group A-E 3rd places and the 3 best fourth-places.

Unlike Europe, this will be a bracket. The bracket will be drawn all in one go.

So, of the eight routes, four will progress and join the other twelve for a round of sixteen. This will continue down until four routes remain.

North America
No play-off here. America's round two will be the equivalent to the UK's 3rd round and follow the same format.

Quarter Final
At this stage, the routes will enter a combined bracket.
The Quarter Final will have 12,
The Semi Final will have 6,
And the final, as always, will have three.

Summary
(x/y - x = routes which progress, y = total in this round)
Playoff: EU (2/6), UK (4/8)
R2: EU (6/12), UK (8/16)
R3: EU (4/6), UK (4/8), US (4/8)
QF: ALL (6/12)
SF: ALL (3/6)
Final: ALL (1/3)

So, buckle up, we're in for a long one!



A reminder that the UK and US votes are still open for the next few hours, so go vote if you haven't already!

UK SECTION 1 -:
https://forums.dovetailgames.com/threads/tsw-world-cup-2026-uk-group-stage-section-1.95723/

UK SECTION 2 -:
https://forums.dovetailgames.com/threads/tsw-world-cup-2026-uk-group-stage-section-2.95724/

USA -:
https://forums.dovetailgames.com/threads/tsw-world-cup-2026-united-states-group-stage.95728/

 

Knockout Phase Draw
The UK and NA votes are still going but it's time for the draw. Perhaps, this will make the format a bit clearer.

UK
1. B1 vs PO1*
2. A1 vs E1
-------------
3. A2 vs B2
4. PO3 vs F2
-------------
5. E2 vs PO4*
6. C1 vs D2
-------------
7. F1 vs PO2
8. C2 Vs D1

*Playoffs: if PO1 is from Group B and/or PO4 is from Group E, then they will swap, either with each other or with PO2/3. Group F does not have any playoff routes so it doesn't matter so much for PO2/3.

Europe
1. [NA2] Köln - Aachen v [SC1] Frankfurt S-Bahn
2. [SA2] Bernina Line v [SC2] Linke Rheinstrecke
-------------
3. [NC1] Zwolle-Groningen v [PO1]* TBC
4. [SA1] Semmeringbahn v [SB2] Frankfurt - Fulda
--------------
5. [PO2] TBC v [NA1] Dresden - Leipzig
6. [NB1] Bremen - Oldenburg v [SB1] Mittenwaldbahn

*If PO1 is Kassel-Wurzburg then it will swap positions with PO2.
Group N-A doesn't have a playoff route so it doesn't matter otherwise.

(There is no US vote for this round.)

I haven't checked the UK standings, hence why it's just generic references to their group positions.

You can pretty much work out the third round from here too, as the four routes split by the dashed line are in a direct bracket with one another. For example:

UK
1. B1/PO1 v A1/E1
2. A2/B2 v PO3/F2
3. E2/PO4 v E1/D2
4. F1/PO2 v C2/D1

 

Apologies for the delay folks, been quite busy today.

Group Stage Overview
Not going to do a full run-through, as you can refer to the final table I'll upload shortly.

As for the play-off, I realise I forgot to actually do a draw for the UK one. That's been done now, so here it is:

1. Brighton Mainline vs Peak Forest Railway
2. West Somerset Railway vs Manchester Airport Commuter
3. Midland Mainline vs WCML: Birmingham - Crewe
4. Tees Valley Line vs Mildmay Line*

*Mildmay Line was chosen by a coin-toss, it was level with ECML (=4th) on 9 points which made it joint-third best fourth place (tongue-twister that one)

The good news for me is that I got away with my WSR/PFR blunder, as both progressed anyway. Phew.

That thread will go up shortly and will run for 48 hours - solely because I'm out tomorrow and won't have time to keep an eye on the competition, and I'd rather it was running than sitting idle for a day.

If anyone wishes to do the commentary on the groups in my absence, you may take the stage.
If anyone wishes to heckle the stand-in, you may also do so.

UK Groups Final

US Groups FInal

EU Groups Final

 

Full Table

* ECML / Mildmay are the wrong colours in this one.

 

The Playoffs are LIVE!
https://forums.dovetailgames.com/threads/tsw-world-cup-2026-play-off-round.95767/

 

Has the ECML been relegated then?

 

Yeah, lost it on Yellow/Red Cards. Silly booking from the Flying Scotsman really, just had no need to hold the 378 at a red signal like he did.

 

5/48 hours in and the votes are flooding in so, thank you folks.

In the UK ties, Brighton Mainline is thrashing Peak Forest 26-5 at the minute. I can assume they're playing Rugby.

Manchester Airport leads WSR 16-10 and a similar story for Midland Mainline which leads WCML Birmingham - Crewe by 17-10.

The tightest tie, however, is between Tees Valley Line and Mildmay, with the former leading 15-13 against the lucky survivor of a coin-toss.

As for Europe, Niddertalbahn is far out ahead, but 2nd place Tharandter Rampe looks like it could face a challenge from KWG and Vorarlberg in it's quest to progress. A tough start for Maintalbahn, though.

 

EU-S B was a rough group draw. Four of the five could have won some of the weaker groups outright

 

About half an hour to go in the Playoff, Brighton Mainline, Manchester Airport, Tees Valley (very narrowly), Niddertalbahn and Tharandter Rampe are on their way to second round.

However, Midland Mainline and WCML Birmingham - Crewe are TIED!
I have no clue whatsoever how to tiebreak other than coin-toss so I could be a very rough way for one of these routes to go out.

 

The final result comes in the same, so it's a coin-toss, which leaves Midland Mainline to go through.
Two coin-tosses in one tournament is mental, given we've never had one before.

Anyway, Round 2 (proper) will be going up in the morning.

 

Round 2: LIVE NOW!
That's right folks we are back and now into the Knockouts proper.

We can now finally see what the UK ties will be, and throw in the Playoff Routes for a full picture. EU/UK are still separated, of course.

1. Köln - Aachen v Frankfurt S-Bahn
2. Bernina Line v Linke Rheinstrecke
-------------
3. Zwolle-Groningen v Niddertalbahn
4. Semmeringbahn v Frankfurt - Fulda
--------------
5. Tharandter Rampe v Dresden - Leipzig
Oooh, it's a revival of the Dresden Derby, now featuring Leipzig!
6. Bremen - Oldenburg v Mittenwaldbahn

UK
1. Southeastern Highspeed vs Brighton Mainline
woah.
2. Blackpool vs Preston - Carlisle
woah.
-------------
3. Riviera Line vs Cathcart Circle
4. Midland Mainline vs Edinburgh - Glasgow
-------------
5. Birmingham XCity vs Manchester Airport Commuter*
6. WCML South vs Cardiff City Commuter
-------------
7. East Coastway vs Tees Valley Line*
8. Great Western Express Vs Fife Circle

*TVL and MAC had to be swapped as TVL was already in a group with Birmingham.

Holy [...] that top bracket for the UK is stacked. I would imagine the champion will be from there but it means that only one can get as far the quarter finals, which for a couple of those routes will rank as their worst performance to date!

Vote Here
UK: https://forums.dovetailgames.com/threads/tsw-world-cup-2026-uk-round-two.95817/

EU: https://forums.dovetailgames.com/threads/tsw-world-cup-2026-eu-round-two.95816/

 

That was a tough one, Shap and BPO in the same match, though Shap had to win with length and the AC Electrics.

WCMLS vs. CCN battle of the duds, though WCMLS had to get the vote for length and it is slightly better overall.

 

I'm surprised that Fife is doing as well as it is. I suppose if this was done post-GWE remaster or pre-158 timetable that would be a very different story.

 

Imagine the 158 timetable is precisely what gave it the boost.

 

About a quarter of the way there, practically every tie has a run-away winner at the minute except Niddertalbahn v Zwolle - Groningen, with only a vote separating them.

Quite a solid turnout, too, so once again thanks to all of you.

Just a little announcement:
I, personally, am not sure if we'll run a Loco World Cup this year as the ever-increasing amount of locos is, simply, impractical in the forums format. I have to split the routes and there are countless cases of routes with 2+ locos, as well as of course loco DLCs, variants (e.g. 66 v RHTT), etc.

Also, I would hazard a guess (esp. given that the 87 won last year, with WCMLOS winning this) that a bit part of the consideration when you vote for a route is the loco included with the route, or those that contribute as DLC.

Plus, this tournament is taking longer to run so will eat into the time that the Loco WC would need to be run.

Instead, to celebrate the real world cup in June/July (probably July, as I'm going in June and I'll not be on here much), I may run something. The forum is as (if not more) devoid of news as we hit the hiatus before the inevitable new game, so that seems like a decent time to do it.

What that will be I'm not sure. Perhaps a version of this tournament where, much like the real world cup, there are groups with one route mixed in from each region (EU/NA/UK) in a three game round-robin, points format and all. If anyone here played Football Manager 2024 and managed in the World Cup you'll probably know the format I'm talking about here.

That's a maybe.

But, yeah, the Loco world cup is probably a no from me. Sorry if anyone was particularly looking forward to that.

 

I think there's a lot to hat. For example, every year Bremen-Oldenburg has done much better than the very, very similar Hamburg-Lubeck, and I think the difference is the excellent BR 110 compared to the poorly received 112.

 

Indeed. I think Bremen's quite varied (for an A-B route) timetable with such a wide selection of rolling stock (and various different types) does help it too.

I think the improvement of the likes of Fife Circle Line with the 158 also support that idea, and Cathcart previously with the 380+remaster.

 

What you might consider, both for the above factor and to keep the numbers reasonable, is to run a playoff just for standalone loco DLCs, excluding those which come as part of routes